I could not agree less with G Somerset's rather hysterical approach.

He would be on surer ground on the subject of atrocities.

Far from being crazed, the kamikaze pilots were brave and patriotic. Their actions were not atrocities but last-ditch attempts to turn the tables on us.

Anyone can see I did not have my arm round Mr Naemura. He could not, in fact, speak English.

Mr Somerset wasn't there, of course, but "the extensive damage inflicted on our ships" was not really very great because our carriers had armoured decks, whereas US carriers' decks were wooden.

A US officer said: "When a kamikaze hits a US carrier, it's six months' repair at Pearl. On a Limey carrier, it's a case of 'sweepers, man your brooms'."

-L Cdr G A Brooke, Balcombe, Haywards Heath